Member Article

Fuse strengthens board, appointing Simon Bell, and promoting James English

Fuse, Omnicom Media Group’s sport and entertainment agency, has strengthened its board by hiring Simon Bell as Managing Partner – Entertainment, and promoting James English to Managing Partner - Sport.

Both Bell and English join Fuse’s board, alongside CEO Louise Johnson, Managing Director Sarah Kendall, CFO & COO, Monica Conway and Chief Strategy Officer, Alex Charkham.
Bell and English will report to Managing Director Sarah Kendall.

Bell’s appointment comes as the business develops its 2022-2024 strategy to strengthen and expand its entertainment offering for new and existing clients. Bell will oversee Fuse’s entertainment division, including its music and gaming teams. He will be responsible for maintaining existing senior client relationships, including long-held relationships with PepsiCo and Tuborg, as well as developing its partnerships proposition and driving new business growth.

Bell brings 20+ experience in brand and customer marketing for clients in their work across music, film, theatre, arts and culture and broader entertainment partnerships. He was most recently ay Momentum Worldwide for 10 years, establishing and leading the agency’s UK and international work for American Express in entertainment, including the development and global expansion of American Express’s ‘Experiences’ proposition.

Bell said, “I am delighted to be joining Fuse’s board, at what is a really exciting time for the both the agency and the sports and entertainment landscape more generally. Their ground-breaking work, supportive culture and huge pool of talent at every level is something I really admire, and I am honoured to be a part of that. I look forward to bringing a new vision to the company to help us thrive in what is a very exciting sector with huge amounts of potential.”

Bell said, “I am delighted to be joining Fuse’s board, at what is a really exciting time for the both the agency and the sports and entertainment landscape more generally. Their ground-breaking work, supportive culture and huge pool of talent at every level is something I really admire, and I am honoured to be a part of that. I look forward to bringing a new vision to the company to help us thrive in what is a very exciting sector with huge amounts of potential.”

Also announced is James English, who has been promoted to Managing Partner, Sport (previously Partner in the sport division) after joining the company in 2014 to help oversee the growth and development of client portfolios, such as Nissan, PepsiCo and Enterprise Rent-a-Car’s UEFA partnerships. In his new role, English will be responsible for sport client servicing, product development and will play a lead role in driving organic and new business growth.

During his time at Fuse, English has helped negotiate multiple rights contracts, led teams to activate major client partnerships including for JustEat, FedEx and Google, and has been instrumental in winning new business. James previously worked on the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

English said, “Post covid, live sport and entertainment is back, with a summer filled with live sporting events. Brands have re-awoken to the power of these consumer passion points and are investing in new partnerships and sponsorships. I’m proud to have been promoted to Managing Partner and pleased to continue to work with some of the most prominent rights holders and activations in the industry.”

Commenting on Bell’s appointment and English’s promotion, Managing Director Sarah Kendall said, “James and Simon are such brilliant additions to our board, bringing sharp and strategic subject expertise with a collaborative spirit which is so important to our agency and our clients. With growing client demand for integration across sport & entertainment properties, I’m looking forward to working with them closely to uncover innovative solutions and revenue opportunities.”

Fuse is currently retained by PepsiCo, Vodafone, FedEx, Nissan, Klarna and Carlsberg Group, amongst others.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Business News .